So true. There are lots of bad B strings out there. My Roscoe has the best B string and most playable neck of all the 5 strings I've tried - Sadowsky, Lakland, Warwick, Ken Smith, Fender, etc. To me, no one comes close. I've been thinking about getting a 4 string lately, but even though I don't always use the B string, I like having the option if I want it. I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on a 4 string because I'm spoiled by my Roscoe.
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4 or 5; Is the B worth it?
- Thread starter sonnos
- Start date
So true. There are lots of bad B strings out there. My Roscoe has the best B string and most playable neck of all the 5 strings I've tried - Sadowsky, Lakland, Warwick, Ken Smith, Fender, etc. To me, no one comes close. I've been thinking about getting a 4 string lately, but even though I don't always use the B string, I like having the option if I want it. I'm having a hard time pulling the trigger on a 4 string because I'm spoiled by my Roscoe.
I'm in the camp where, if you're going to upgrade, you may as well go into a 6, especially if, like you say, you're going in for technical playing. Trust me when I say that the high C makes a WORLD of difference for when you're playing chords or tapping. The B? Maybe not quite as much, but it IS useful at times. Honestly, I've played on 6's strung EADGCF, and love that tuning for going a highly technical route, but it's a matter of what needs to be there for a playing situation. Realistically, I'd love to get 2 identical 6's, one strung standard, and the other, EADGCF.
Most of my basses are four strings tuned BEAD. I love having a fretted low E and the Eb and D come in handy sometimes. Below that, hardly ever.
Without a G string you become VERY familiar with your higher frets
But I would agree that if you want to play a six, get a six and be done with it.
Without a G string you become VERY familiar with your higher frets
But I would agree that if you want to play a six, get a six and be done with it.
Good point. For instance, the music I play needs the low B, I probably play on the low B more than any other string by a long shot but I also use the high G so while I'm tempted to get a 4 string strung BEAD I know that that wouldn't work on all of my bands songs.
the thing that is good about extra strings is that you have more sonic range within any given hand position; The reason to get a low B string isn't really to play a low B - it's to have those lower notes available to your hand if your up on the 7th or 9th fret.
Similarly, the reason for a high C string is to have higher notes available if you're playing in the lower registers. Me, I'm not so into the "higher notes" so I don't much use any basses strung with a high C.
Similarly, the reason for a high C string is to have higher notes available if you're playing in the lower registers. Me, I'm not so into the "higher notes" so I don't much use any basses strung with a high C.
I love having a low B string. It allows for changing positions a lot less, and I can rattle windows and chairs much easier. I still own 4 string basses and play them too. It depends on the type of gig I'm playing, but my favorite instrument is my 5 string.
To sum it up:
This topic came up more than once.
There are 4 string guys that do not need and/or want more strings than four.
There are 5 string guys that have the following reasons to have 5 strings:
-to omit re-tuning for drop D or songs that are in Eb or other tunings.
-to be able to fret the low E and have the additional notes around.
-to have extended range without moving the fretting hand.
There are 6 string guys that use the above reasons and have even one more string.
Increasing the number of strings will add:
-Weight (More hardware, more mass)
-Cost (replacement of strings)
-Size (the neck gets wider and the right hand needs to move further to reach all the strings)
-Expectations (don't go up on stage, pull a 6 string boutique from your bag and don't live up to it by plucking roots)
I addition to that, there are guys that choose the right tool for the job and own a 4, 5 and 6 both fretted and fretless and bring whatever the gig calls for.
So it's just a bit of trial and error until you find what type of player you are and then you can stick to it.
This topic came up more than once.
There are 4 string guys that do not need and/or want more strings than four.
There are 5 string guys that have the following reasons to have 5 strings:
-to omit re-tuning for drop D or songs that are in Eb or other tunings.
-to be able to fret the low E and have the additional notes around.
-to have extended range without moving the fretting hand.
There are 6 string guys that use the above reasons and have even one more string.
Increasing the number of strings will add:
-Weight (More hardware, more mass)
-Cost (replacement of strings)
-Size (the neck gets wider and the right hand needs to move further to reach all the strings)
-Expectations (don't go up on stage, pull a 6 string boutique from your bag and don't live up to it by plucking roots)
I addition to that, there are guys that choose the right tool for the job and own a 4, 5 and 6 both fretted and fretless and bring whatever the gig calls for.
So it's just a bit of trial and error until you find what type of player you are and then you can stick to it.
If you want to eventually play 6 then get a 6. If you wanna play professionally then you're gonna need that low B at some point
DING DING DING - we have a winner!
I sometimes use notes below E, but most of the time my 5 string just helps with my positional shifting.
Think of this - if you had just 1 string with 36 frets, you have all the notes that you need...
But you would have to move your hand for every single note change.
Now add another string, tuned a 4th away. now sometimes you don't have to move. Add another string - now you move even less
At some point the # of strings becomes overwhelming - but 4 going to 5 is pretty manageable.
And 5 to 6 is OK too - but I personally think that 6 string basses tend to be voiced for solo players, so I stick with 5 stringers.
Phillip
All the reasons listed above are fantastic ones! I play an L-2500 because I love the close string spacing, which makes playing with a pick a lot quicker--at least in my opinion. However, it's fun to get something other than a four just for the sake of having something new and challenging to work towards.
You may get bored playing your four and switch to a five and get inspired to practice more, and vice versa! That's how I ended up playing a five-banger, and i've stuck to five-string basses ever since--that, all of the above reasons, and death metal.
You may get bored playing your four and switch to a five and get inspired to practice more, and vice versa! That's how I ended up playing a five-banger, and i've stuck to five-string basses ever since--that, all of the above reasons, and death metal.
I had a really nice Modulus Q5 back in the 90s that I used on 1 or 2 songs. Never really put the effort into moving up and sold it. Now I find myself in a situation where I need it on 1 or 2 numbers again.
Yes, I can play the notes on a 4, but it wouldn't sound right.
Thankfully we're in a period where a decent instrument can be had for not much $$. Maybe I'll work at it more this time, but I'm one of those that's always considered myself a 4 banger. VM P-5 on order.
Yes, I can play the notes on a 4, but it wouldn't sound right.
Thankfully we're in a period where a decent instrument can be had for not much $$. Maybe I'll work at it more this time, but I'm one of those that's always considered myself a 4 banger. VM P-5 on order.
I prefer thinner necks. I don't need a B for any of the music my band plays.
I dislike the general floppiness of most B strings. I prefer shorter scale lengths to longer scale lengths. The floppiness worsens with shorter scale lengths. I find most B's with a scale of less than 35" too floppy.
These are my experiences and opinions. These are why I still only play 4 strings.
On occasion, I would like to play a low E flat or D. These occasions are not often enough to warrant me getting a five string.
I dislike the general floppiness of most B strings. I prefer shorter scale lengths to longer scale lengths. The floppiness worsens with shorter scale lengths. I find most B's with a scale of less than 35" too floppy.
These are my experiences and opinions. These are why I still only play 4 strings.
On occasion, I would like to play a low E flat or D. These occasions are not often enough to warrant me getting a five string.
I've got fours, fives,and sixes. At gig time, the fives and sixes stay home. As someone mentioned, it an extra string to mute, the fretboards are too wide, and with a four, I don't have to do as much thinking, I can just play. I've been playing fours for over 40 years, never needed more than four. Not worth it to me.
I use a four-banger BEAD. You know the rumble you get sitting next to the boom car at the red light? THAT'S what I want my bass to sound and feel like. If your B sounds like mud, then you may have amp/speaker issues
I own a 6 string. It has sat in the garage for many years. Too big, to heavy and I have never gone over the 20th fret on my 5 string.
I agree totally, and in fact I rarely so over the 15th fret - but the reason that I have considered a 6 string is not for any extra high notes - it's so that I can play D & E above middle C in first position
Seems like a simple answer i could have come up with myself, but i didn't so thank you! i think this comment helps me the most!
- Jan 27, 2010
- 4,141
- 471
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Genz Benz Amplification
I play a 6, 8-10 gigs a week. I absolutely need the extra strings. I have to transpose songs for different singers, we do a ton of songs in Eb and D, that covers the B string. The extra high string means I can walk a I IV V in most keys without changing position, which is especially helpful if I'm singing the song and would rather not drop my head to peek at the neck.
